Last Updated on April 7, 2023 by Capt. R.C.
The Winter fishing season has arrived along the Grand Strand with some positive reports. This year’s December in South Carolina has brought with it the typical decrease in boater traffic and outstanding fishing. It is truly my favorite time of year for inshore fishing out of Myrtle Beach.
The above shot was taken recently. It gives a great example of how the redfish begin to school, and the water clarity during Fall and Winter (the sea turtle is an added bonus)! As you can see, a picture is worth a thousand words; and if you look below, a video tells a million! I had an epic morning with topwater redfish on the falling tide.
Redfish Schooling Up
The weather can definitely have an impact this time of year, making you have to pick your days to go. While these fish are still haunting different areas, they will retreat to their winter residences when the water temperatures get below 50 degrees. Despite the common thinking that these fish will go deep on a sunny day, you can often find them ‘sunning’ on flats. And on cloudy days, you can find them in deeper water as they try to conserve energy.
We have been catching the inshore redfish on various baits this December. Live bait is always a good bet, whether it is under a cork or on the bottom. Mud minnows and frozen shrimp are two of my favorite baits for this time of year; and you may even find a few Black Drum on the shrimp. While the Redfish are still hitting artificials, such as paddletails, dead sticking the bait seems to work best with scent.
3 Tips for Winter Reds
- Work your baits slow
- Use live bait or scented artificial
- Be prepared to set the hook on a light bite
Speckled Trout Prepare for the Cold
Speckled Trout (aka, Winter Trout or Sea Trout) have spent the past 3 months preparing for a cold Winter ahead. They are very sensitive to water temperatures, so it is important that they build up enough fat cells to survive the chilly weather. In doing so, the Trout gorge themselves throughout Fall and early Winter.
This has been one of the best Fall trout seasons in years. We have had multiple days in the double digits. Just last week, we caught over 40 fish in two hours. The strong Trout season can be attributed to several mild winters over the past few years. Hopefully, we have a mild Winter this year so the local population can continue to grow! Remember to release all fish over 20 inches so that they can reproduce.
We caught most of our Speckled Trout on live shrimp, earlier in the year. On days that were productive, we switched to artificial paddletails and shrimp with plenty of success. As we get into December, we are using artificial baits almost exclusively. I may try a mud minnow here and there, but I am mostly using paddletails and Mirrolures in the 808 color pattern.
3 Tips for Winter Trout
- Find clean water coming over structure
- Work your baits, but work them slow
- Try trolling paddletails or Mirrolures to locate fish
Booking an Inshore Fishing Charter
If you’re planning to visit Myrtle Beach, give me a call to book your inshore fishing charter. I’ll do my best to tailor a fishing trip that meets your group’s needs. Whether you are a technical angler, looking for something specific, or a family looking for a safe enjoyable day on the water… I will do my best to give you a safe and fun day on the water. Call 843-485-7424 or book online today!